The carriage arrived at Stofen before dawn.
All the priests got off the carriage to check the surroundings. Only Asta and I remained in the carriage.
“…….”
“…….”
I really resented the priests.
‘Did all of you have to go out? Couldn’t one person stay back? How could they leave me with Asta alone!’
The stifling awkwardness was still bearable. The problem was, I didn’t know when Asta would start arguing and harassing me again.
I sighed at the impending grim future.
‘Let’s not make eye contact for now.’
I was staring outside meaninglessly.
But even such a desperate struggle could not save me from Asta’s words.
“Are you looking for someone to save you? Wake up. The emperor told everyone to clear the way to Stofen Harbor.”
Along the way, Asta would leave letters for grandfather. She would write her demands, and the imperial knights following behind us would pick it up and deliver it to my grandfather.
‘So there were currently no people on the road.’
I was disappointed.
Asta stared at me with a sullen expression, “You….”
She paused.
How meticulously does she plan to torment me to even pause?
I sighed inwardly, and Asta opened her mouth.
“How did you reincarnate? Did you also sell your soul to a God?”
Why is she suddenly asking that?
I was curious, but if I delayed my answer, she might start yelling again.
I quickly nodded my head.
“How did you reincarnate then?”
“I was killed, and when I woke up, I was here.”
“I was also murdered….”
Asta looked at me with a sympathetic face. It was an unexpected reaction.
Come to think of it, her attitude towards me today was unusually gentle.
‘I’ve always been really unlucky. But why is she acting like this today?’
Could it be that my inadvertent confession moved Asta’s heart? Have I established a connection of empathy with her?
“Did it hurt a lot when you died?”
Asta asked again.
“It was so sudden that I didn’t even feel the pain. But… my heart hurts a lot.”
“Why? Were you also sentenced to death?”
“….”
Asta seemed to have many questions for me.
But it wasn’t about how I knew I had reincarnated or how much I knew, it was about these personal stories she was curious about.
‘She couldn’t tell anyone her story of regression. Maybe it was hard for her to bear the weight of the secret alone.’
So, like someone who found an oasis in the desert, she bombarded me with questions.
At first, I debated whether to tell her, then I decided to share my story.
“The person I thought was my family killed me.”
Asta paused.
Then, a moment later, she burst into laughter.
“You had it worse than me. My parents left me to die, but at least they didn’t kill me themselves.”
I couldn’t believe it. When I wanted to share my pain, she decided to make a joke out of me.
“Do you pity me?”
“Yeah.”
Asta answered without a second thought.
I pursed my lips.
Asta, who had been staring at me intently, spoke.
“I like it.”
“?”
“I’m glad that you’re more miserable than me. When I see you, I feel better about myself.”
Asta smiled mockingly.
“How can you act so mean? You’re really despicable,” I puffed out my cheeks and glared at her.
Asta cupped my jaw and clenched it, “Don’t you want revenge?”
I shook my head without hesitation,”No!”
“Are you serious?”
Asta frowned, “What do you get by pretending to be nice…”
“I don’t want to spend my time thinking about my past. My new life here is too good to waste like that.”
“…….”
“I want to live well with the loved ones I have now, forgetting the past and cherishing the present connections.”
“…….”
“So can’t you change your mind and let me go?”
Asta looked at me with a strange expression.
“Even if you meet the person who killed you again, will you forgive them while pretending to be kind like now?”
Why does she say such bitter words?
I got angry.
“No! Why would I?”
“As I thought…”
“I’ll beat them up terribly and chase them far, far away. And then, I’ll forget all about them.”
Her unexpected answer seemed to stun Asta for a moment. But soon, she chuckled again.
“Are you making fun of me?”
I answered back for no reason.
“I won’t answer your questions anymore.”
I firmly crossed my arms and turned my head away.
Creak!
Suddenly, the carriage shook.
We had gone from a well-paved road to a rough gravel path.
I looked at Asta in panic. She was unfazed from the changes. We’re not heading to Stofen Harbor, Asta was well aware of the fact.
We had told Grandfather that we were heading for Stofen Harbor, but the carriage was actually going elsewhere. Since the road was empty, I would take time for them to find out that the carriage had diverted.
The carriage stopped after a while.
“Lady! We’ve arrived at Arel Harbor!” A priest shouted from outside.
“Arel Harbor?”
Duchess Moltke had taught me that this was a secluded harbor, not far from Stofen. Only old fishing boats could be found here.
‘And a perfect place to quietly escape without attracting attention.’
As Asta and I got off the carriage, a desolate scene awaited us.
Only a few large wooden boxes and a small boat were docked in the barren harbor. The only person there was an old, hunched-over man standing in front of the boat.
He noticed us and reached out his hand.
Asta handed the old man a pouch of money.
‘It seems Asta already bought a boat beforehand.’
But during our journey here, no one left the scene. Did she plan this before even kidnapping me?
‘They never intended to escape to Stofen Harbor from the beginning.’
It was a tactic similar to luring Grandfather and Dad to the royal villa and attempting to kill me at Caliverse Square.
The old man gestured for us to follow him. He seemed unable to speak.
“He will guide us on how to operate the boat,” the priest said.
“Follow him. Check if there’s anything suspicious on the boat.”
“Understood.”
As the priest boarded the boat, Asta drew a magic circle on the harbor tiles. It was a circle that prevented anyone from entering.
It was a precaution against any sudden attacks. Even though Asta had thoroughly evaded the royal knights, she was still cautious.
After a while, the priest examined the boat and stuck his head out, “There is nothing suspicious about the ship.”
“Good. Now get on!.”
The priests began to board the ship, carrying their meager luggage. But Asta was still fidgeting.
‘Was she anxious?’
She suddenly looked at me, “You just…”
Asta, who stopped her words and was staring at me, shook her head vigorously, “Letting you go? What kind of useless thoughts am I having… Hurry and get on the boat!”
Asta deliberately grabbed my arm and dragged me toward the boat.
Her behavior had turned harsh again, as if the gentleness she showed on the carriage was fake.
Suddenly someone crawled out from between the boxes piled up in the port.
“Asta!”
Asta, who was trying to attack reflexively, flinched.
“It’s really you. My daughter, you were here!”
The trembling voice, filled with joy, belonged to Asta’s father, Count Appel.
And he wasn’t alone.
“The Oracle appeared in my dream, saying we could meet you if we came to Arel Harbor. It was true…”
Countess Appel was also present. Approaching Asta, she trembled as she glanced at the magic circle carved on the ground.
“Asta, are you really leaving your mother behind?”
The Countess asked tearfully.
Asta’s grip on my hand weakened.
“Mother was wrong all this time. Please don’t abandon me.”
Asta’s pale face trembled.
“Are you kidding? Why are you pretending to be loving parents all of a sudden?”
“No, Asta. We…”
“Who sent you? The Emperor? The Palace? Did they promise a big reward if you persuade me to spare Hanelope? Have you been trailing me all this time?”
“Asta, please don’t say such things. The oracle told us where you were. God gave your mother a last chance. He told her not to regret losing you.”
The Countess sobbed as she wiped her tears with a handkerchief. She was about to collapse, but Asta held her.
“Get her on the boat.”
Asta pushed me towards the boat. Despite my reluctance, the priest forcibly dragged me along.
‘What is Asta thinking?’
Did a few tears really change her mind? But the original Asta was the one who killed her parents after returning.
‘She wouldn’t have a change of heart so easily.’
I glanced at the priest. Asta is focused on Count and Countess Appel. The other priests are on the boat, and he’s the only one watching me.”
This was my opportunity.
When we were about to board the boat, I chomped on his arm, “Argh! What!”
I tried to throw myself into the sea to escape, but the priest was faster.
“You stubborn little thing!”
He grabbed my waist tightly and dragged me into the cabin.
Everything went dark.
“Hey! Tell that old man to hurry up and come down and tie the lady up… Urgh!”
But as soon as the priest entered the cabin, he collapsed with a scream. He wasn’t the only one who collapsed. All the priests who were already on the boat were also down.
The only one standing perfectly fine was just one person.
The old man who sold the boat to Asta.
He straightened his hunched back and removed his white wig and took off the intricately crafted mask covering his face.
Dark black hair cascaded like the night sky, and moonlit eyes met mine.
He was my favorite, “Brantley!”
